As I had mentioned before the formula for Mrs. Metz seems to
center around one or two characters more than the others. The Watcher is no
exception. This book is all about Max. And wow, it was pulling at my heart
strings just about every page.

In this book Max finds himself sick, okay maybe simply put,
sick isn’t the best word, he’s more than sick, like may be dying sort of deal.
The explanation for the cause of the illness that’s taken over Max’s body is...
a little weak. I’m not sure I liked the idea’s surrounding it. But we’ll leave
that for now and come back to it once we learn a little bit more J
Probably in next week’s post.

Of course, you can imagine, if Max is sick, well, Liz is
freaking out! She’s still doing everything she can to get Max to see that they
should be together but to no avail. Max is desperate to keep her safe, even if
it tear’s him up inside. Of course, there is one choice line when Max realizes
he’s dying, something about he’d rather her have a dead friend, rather than a
dead boyfriend. I thought it was admirable to think that that would make a
difference, but of course, we know it to be a major cop out. However, towards
the end we see hints that perhaps Max is changing his mind, little by little. In
the TV they went a long time, quite a few episodes apart, even though they both
desperately wanted to be together. Of course back them we demanded them to pick
up the pace and express their undying love. It keeps readers and viewers at the
edge of their seats, but in my opinion it’s gone on long enough. They need to
be together. We see that, now let us have that satisfaction!

We also see a few interesting things happen between Michael
and Maria. Just like in the TV show, the two are chemically charged by one
another but... that I’ll love you to the ends of the earth attraction hasn’t
fully blossomed yet. Maria has fallen for Michael, while Michael is stiff,
fumbling around with his feelings. Of course we assume this is in part do with
abandonment issues, the loss of his parents and family, being an alien and
well, Maria is one interesting gal. But the cat’s been let out of the bag and
now as I see it, things are left in Michael’s court.

Alex and Isabel are still the couple that raise the most
questions. We know they shouldn’t really be together for varying reasons. Sure,
they make a cute couple, but Isabel seems to be just as much about showing her
friends up as she is really connecting with Alex. They have more than one
awkward moment. I hate to say it Alex and Isabel fans, but just like in the TV
show, I think they will be fumbling through this relationship, it won’t every
really get started and it might just end abruptly.

Now, back to Max’s illness, I think the groups put together
several great plans to find their parent’s ship. They worked as a team, which
you see them do often in the show. I like the display of everyone carrying an
equal weight, and relying on each other. Well, mostly. Because we know how Michael
is, and no matter how many times he’s told not to do something, well he goes
off on his own. This side of Michael is very much like the Michael we see
onscreen.

We see Velanti a little more in this novel than we did in
the last. He’s still tough, gruff and in charge. We get a few more inside looks
at his personality, his secret government job and I have to wonder, will he
ever side with the aliens when it comes down to it, like he did on the TV show?
I very much enjoyed that the kids were able to have a powerful adult on their
side. I’d like to see that change here in the books. Will it happen? Only time
will tell.

I’ve noticed these are short, quick reads. Something that
must have been a trend back in the ‘90’s and early ‘00’s to keep kids hooked. These
books are what I call evening reads. I’ve been able to devour all of them thus
far in a few short hours. They are always straight and to the point. There
isn’t any unnecessary fluff, weighted down with description or words just for
the sake of typing them down. Now a day’s it’s hard to find a book under 200
pages, it seems. I think Mrs. Metz does a great job continuing the story,
fueling the plot lines with action and a little suspense keeping things flowing
nicely. There aren’t any lulls where I think, “Come on! Come on, get on with
it!” which is always a plus.

Though, yet again, true to Mrs. Metz form she’s left this
book on a note that has me grasping for the next book to figure out the final
outcome. She must have meticulously planned these books out well before because
each novel starts right where the other one left off. You’d honestly need to
read the ones before it to fully comprehend the ones that come after it. Is
that a good thing? Maybe and maybe not. If I were to pick up book three and
read it for the first time, I’m not sure it would have the same effect as it
would had I read them start to finish. And again, I’m thankful that next week I
can pick up book five and start on reading.

I’d all so like to toss in the name of this book, The
Watcher. I’m not, fully sure where that came from. Book one was clear, Liz was
The Outsider, having found out the aliens secret first. Book Two, The Wild One,
is clearly Nikolas with a hint of Isabel thrown in there. It’s obvious. Book
Three, The Seeker I believe refers to Maria, and her power to see people,
figuring out what they are doing in that second she takes a peek. But... who
is, The Watcher? If you have any guesses, let me know by leaving a comment!

So, for me, this was another great read, aside from The
Outsiders, this might become second place in the series so far. I want Liz and
Max’s relationship to progress into uncharted territory. I want to see them
fall in love, rather than just express that they love each other. Maria and
Michael need to come to a common agreement like they did in the TV show, I
think. I’d like to see them together, or mostly together, I’d like to see
Michael let someone other than the aliens in. I’d like to see Isabel let Alex
go. I personally don’t think they are right for each other, and their hearts
and minds aren’t in the same place. Alex is head over heels in love, while
Isabel seems to be going through the motions for the sake of it.

Of course, I’d like to know if the alien Ray that popped up
last book makes it to the next book. As I mentioned before I’m not fond of the
quick addition of other aliens and then the quick deletion of them. I’m not
sure what the purpose is to the overall story, aside from finding out a little
bit more of who they are but even then, the alien Ray is still pretty
tight-lipped about their history, only coming around when he feels like it, and
I don’t think gives 110% to the cause.